APTES-functionalized Ni nanoparticles reinforce SiOC coating with enhanced wear and oxidation resistance for TiAl alloy

• APTES modification improves Ni nanoparticle dispersion in the SiOC coating. • APTES-modified Ni nanoparticles promote the formation of protective nitride and Al 2 O 3 layers. • Enhanced oxidation resistance boosts the durability of SiOC-APTES-Ni coating. • Reduced surface energy enhances the wear resistance of the coating. The limited oxidation resistance of TiAl alloys constrains their further application in high-temperature environments. To address this, SiOC coating doped with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane(APTES)-modified Ni nanoparticles was fabricated. Oxidation behavior of the coating at 850°C and its effect on wear resistance were systematically investigated. Results demonstrated that APTES modification significantly enhances the dispersion of Ni nanoparticles within the coating, facilitating the formation of a continuous Al 2 O 3 layer and a nitride layer, thereby improving the oxidation resistance of SiOC-Ni coating by 19%. Moreover, the incorporation of APTES-modified Ni nanoparticles reduced coating's surface energy, facilitating wear debris removal and decreasing abrasive wear, ultimately reducing wear rate by 25%.